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Cruz: Senate GOP ‘most damaging’ to 2014

“As you’ve heard from me I believe the leadership in this country is coming from the governors and from the states, not from Washington, D.C. and I don’t think one freshman senator can turn this all around. I think it’s really going to take executive leadership,” he added.

Cruz, who is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Iowa GOP’s Reagan Dinner, missed a D.C. fundraiser for Branstad in September due to Cruz’s lengthy Senate floor speech. But according to reports, the Iowa governor when asked if he had a message for the freshman senator, said he welcomes Cruz.

“I’m just going to say, ‘Welcome to Iowa. Come here often. Spend a lot of money. We appreciate your coming to our state as we do others.’ And I’ve always tried to be a good host and welcome everybody,” Branstad said.

This isn’t the first time Branstad has dismissed the influence national politics in his own state’s role. He’s mused about elimanting the Ames Straw Poll and the Iowa governor dispersed equal blame hitting both the president and Congress.

“I’m very disappointed and very critical of both parties for the lack of leadership in Washington, D.C. The president, and the Congress, both parties, both Houses I think deserve the kind of low approval ratings they get from the American people,” Branstad said.

Branstad hasn’t announced a bid yet, but is largely expected to run for re-election in 2014.